Madam Chairwoman,
Mr. Rapporteur,
Distinguished Members of the Committee,
First of all, I would like to extend, on behalf of the Chinese delegation, our heartfelt greetings and respects to all the distinguished members of the Committee. The Committee has made enormous efforts and played an important role in promoting the objectives and principles of the International Convention on Elimination of all Forms of Racial Discrimination. The Chinese Government appreciates your endeavour and will continue to support the work of the Committee.
Today, my colleagues and I are delighted to be here and brief the Committee on the latest progress of China's implementation of the International Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The Chinese delegation is composed of more than 30 members from relevant departments of the Central Government, and the Governments of Hong Kong and Macao Special Administrative Regions. Three members in our delegation are Tibetan, Uigur and Bai from three different areas densely inhabited by ethnic minority groups-the Tibet Autonomous Region, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and Yunnan Province respectively. The Chinese delegation is ready to conduct constructive dialogue with Members of the Committee in a cooperative, sincere and responsible manner and with a view to better implemening the Convention
Madam Chairwoman,
It is an important constitutional principle to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination in China. Since its ratification in 1981, China has made consistent efforts to prohibit, prevent and punish all forms of racial discrimination in the political, economic, social, cultural and other fields. The combined 10th to 13th periodic reports submitted by China describe in detail China's new measures taken and new progress made in implementing the Convention since last consideration in 2001 and reflect efforts by the Chinese Government in carefully considering and adopting previous suggestions put forward by the Committee. The combined reports are prepared under the Committee's General Guidelines Regarding the Form and Contents of the Periodic Report, and are completed after extensively soliciting opinions from state legislative, administrative, and judicial departments, relevant NGOs as well as experts from relevant fields. In middle June this year, after receiving the Committee's list of issues, the Chinese Government started to study and collect a wide range of information and materials and submitted a detailed written reply within a short time span.
Madam Chairwoman,
China is a united multi-ethnic country, of 56 ethnic groups. All ethnic groups are equal. Besides the Han ethnic group, China's other 55 ethnic groups are ethnic minorities with a total population of over 100 million, accounting for 8% of China's population. To achieve common prosperity and progress of all ethnic groups, the Chinese Government attaches great importance to the political, economic and cultural development of ethnic minorities and fully guarantees all their rights and interests. For this purpose, the Chinese Government has made continued efforts to improve relevant legislations, formulate a series of preferential policies and adopt special supporting measures to enable the ethnic minority people to enjoy the benefits of reform and development of the country. These efforts have contributed to the good situation in which all ethnic groups work in unity and prosper together. The relationship among Chinese ethnic groups is featured by equality, solidarity, mutual assistance and harmony. Here, I wish to highlight in particular the main features of China's efforts in promoting and protecting the minorities' rights as follows:
First, Equality among Ethnic Groups
Equality of ethnic groups and prohibition of discrimination are the cornerstones of China's ethnic policy. China's Constitution explicitly stipulates "All ethnic groups in the People's Republic of China are equal. The state protects the legal rights and interests of all ethnic minority groups and upholds and develops the relationship of equality, unity and mutual assistance among all of China's ethnic groups. Discrimination against and oppression of any ethnic groups are prohibited, and any acts that undermine the unity of the nationalities or instigate their secession are prohibited." The above principles are also enshrined in the Law on National Regional Autonomy and other relevant regulations. In accordance with the above laws, all ethnic minority groups have the right to participate equally in the management of both state and local affairs, to use and develop their own spoken and written languages, and also have the freedom to keep or change their own folkways and customs. In China, citizens enjoy equal rights in economic, political, social, and cultural fields regardless of their ethnic, racial status or religious belief. China also has preferential policies and treatment for ethnic minority people in many aspects.
Second, Regional Autonomy for Ethnic Minorities
Regional ethnic autonomy system forms is a basic political system of China. At present, China has 155 regional ethnic autonomous areas, including 5 Autonomous Regions, 30 Autonomous Prefectures and 120 Autonomous Counties (Banners). Apart from them, more than 1,100 ethnic townships have been established to complement regional ethnic autonomy. Autonomous administrative bodies are formed according to law in regional ethnic autonomous areas. Under the principle of safeguarding state unity and territorial integrity, these bodies enjoy a wide range of autonomous rights, including the right of self-management in political affairs, economy, education, science, culture, public health and so on. Apart from national laws such as the Constitution and the Law on Regional Ethnic Autonomy and its implementing regulations promulgated by the State Council, regional ethnic autonomous areas, taking into account of the local characters, have also promulgated 137 regulations on the exercise of autonomy and 510 separate regulations, 75 alternative or supplementary regulations, which provide solid legal guarantee for regional ethnic autonomy.
Third, Common Prosperity and Development of All Ethnic Groups
Based on the actual conditions in ethnic minority areas, China has adopted a series of special policies and measures to assist these areas in achieving sustainable economic and social development. In 2007, with the view to solving the prominent issues and special difficulties for minority groups and regional autonomous areas in economic and social development and realizing the equalization of basic public services, the State Council formulated the 11th 5-Year Plan for the Ethnic Minority Cause, which flagged 11 primary tasks and 11 major projects for the development of ethnic minority cause and ethnic minority rights protection for next 5 years in a wide spectrum of sectors covering economy, poverty alleviation, culture, public health, social welfare, education, personnel training, legal system and ethnic harmony. In recent years, China has taken 3 major measures to accelerate the development of ethnic minority people and their areas. The first measure is to implement the strategy for the development of the Western China regions; the second is to promote the development in border areas and improve the people's livelihood; the third is to provide special support for ethnic minority groups with a population below one hundred thousand. The State Action Plans on Human Rights (2009-2010) promulgated in April 2009, set specific goals on protecting and advancing ethnic minorities' rights in economy, politics, education, culture, society and other fields.
Fourth, Protection and Development of Minority Culture
Culture is the soul of a nation. The unique traditional culture of ethnic minorities is an important part of resplendent Chinese culture as well as precious intellectual assets for all ethnic groups. The Chinese Government has made consistent and vigorous efforts to support their cultural inheritance and development, formulate relevant laws, establish specialized agencies, expand investment and promote minority cultural prosperity. China has made outstanding achievements in accelerating public cultural infrastructure construction and institution building, personnel training, salvaging and protecting of intangible cultural heritage, saving and classifying ancient books and encouraging ethnic minority cultural activities in international exchanges. For example, last year, in the wake of the devastating Wenchuan earthquake that shook the world, the Chinese Government quickly listed the protection of traditional culture of the Qiang people as an important task of reconstruction and took prompt protection measures. Another example. Just two months ago, the State Council held a meeting on protecting ethnic minority culture and approved "Several Opinions for Further Prosperity and Development of Ethnic Minority Culture" which set objectives and tasks for further protection and development of ethnic minority culture.
Fifth, Unity of All Ethnic Groups and National Unification
Upholding unity of the country and solidarity of all its ethnic groups is the legal obligation of each Chinese citizen under the Constitution. In the long Chinese history, different ethnic groups have developed an integrated yet diversified relationship and jointly prompted the development of the country and the progress of society. They have close interdependent ties and share weal and woe. They live in amity, work in unity and develop together in harmony. In our society, a deeply-rooted understanding is that "the Han and the minority peoples cannot live without each other and different minority groups cannot live without each other either". In order to uphold the unity of the country and all its ethnic groups, China has enacted laws prohibiting incitement of racial and ethnic hatred and racial discrimination and separation. According to law, punishment must be enforced on highly violent crimes committed by forces of racial separatism, religious extremism and violent terrorism, so as to safeguard the authority of law, protect lives and property of all ethnic groups and ensure normal conditions for life and work.
Madam Chairwoman,
Last year marked the 30th anniversary of reform and opening-up policy in China. China also hosted a successful Olympic Games on an unprecedented scale. This year is the 60th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China. Thanks to the concerted efforts of people of all ethnic groups, 30 years' reform and opening-up and 60 years' development have brought significant progress to the whole nation as well as drastic changes to the ethnic minority areas. The prosperity, openness and progress achieved in the ethnic minority areas over the past 30 years include the following:
---------Historic leap in the economy. Ethnic minority areas'(Inner Mongolia, Guangxi, Tibet, Ningxia,Xinjiang Autonomous Regions and Guizhou, Yunnan, Qinghai multi-ethnic Provinces) total GDP increased by 17.4 times from 32.4 billion yuan in 1978 to 3062.6 billion yuan in 2008, calculated in comparable price; in ethnic minority areas, GDP per capita increased from 248 yuan in 1978 to 16,057 yuan in 2008. Ratio of three industries (primary, secondary and tertiary) changed from 38:41:21 in 1978 to 16:47:37 in which the proportion of agriculture and animal husbandry declined obviously and the proportion of industries and services rose significantly, realizing the historic transition in economic structure.
--------Good results in infrastructure construction. China consistently increases the infrastructure investment in ethnic minority areas. The total fixed assets investment in these areas increased from 7.7 billion yuan in 1978 to 1,800 billion yuan in 2007. China has completed a number of major construction projects, such as airports, railways, highways, hydropower stations, and urban and rural infrastructure, making widespread improvement in infrastructure in both urban and rural areas of ethnic minority regions. For example, Qinghai-Tibet Railway operating from 2006 with the total length of 1956 kilometers, is called "Road to Heaven" for its highest altitude in the world. It plays a significant role in speeding up the economic and social development in Qinghai and Tibet, enhancing national unity, and bringing benefits to people of all ethnic groups.
---------Higher living standard. Disposable income of urban people increased 41.9 times from 307 yuan in 1978 to 13,170 yuan in 2008; disposable income of rural people increased 23.6 times from 138 yuan in 1978 to 3,389 yuan in 2008. And almost 40 million people were lifted out of poverty. People's living standard went through two remarkable leaps, from vast poverty to subsistence level, and then to a fairly comfortable life on the whole.
----------Significant achievements in education and public health. In 2007, schools (including colleges, secondary and primary schools) amounted to 70,457 with 1.51 million full-time teachers and, 28.52 million students. The goal of universal nine-year compulsory education and elimination of illiteracy among young and middle-aged has generally been realized. 10,000 schools in 12 provinces and autonomous regions in China, with almost 60 million students, lecture in ethnic minority languages or are bilingual. Urban and rural primary health organizations in ethnic minority areas have been established and strengthened; new rural cooperative medical system has achieved comprehensive coverage; and endemic and infectious diseases have been effectively controlled. From 1978 to 2007, the number of health institutions, hospital beds and related technical personnel in minority areas nearly doubled. Ethnic medicine cause has been revitalized and there are more than 100 ethnic hospitals, over 10,000 ethnic medicine professionals. Tibetan, Mongolian, Uygur, Dai and Korean doctors have been incorporated into the National Qualification Examination for Physicians in succession.
------Increasing number of ethnic minority officials. By the end of 2006, there were 2.994 million ethnic minority officials countrywide, 3.8 times that of 1978. In the standing committees of people's congresses of all 155 ethnic autonomous prefectures, ethnic minority officials representing their respective ethnic groups hold the position of either chairman or vice-chairman; chairmen of all autonomous regions, districts and counties are ethnic minority officials representing their respective ethnic groups; each ethnic minority group has its duputies to the National People's Congress; the right of ethnic minorities to participate in the administration of state affairs on an equal footing and the autonomous right to manage their own regions and affairs are truly respected and safeguarded.
------Protection and promotion of ethnic minorities' culture. A large number of oral and intangible cultural heritages have been salvaged, collected and preserved. The Art of Uyghur Muqam of Xinjiang and the Mongolian Pastoral Songs are among the third list of UNESCO's Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Five natural and cultural heritages located in areas inhabited by ethnic minority groups, including the Potala Palace in Tibet, the Lijiang Ancient City in Yunnan and the Three Parallel Rivers of Yunnan, are on the World Heritage List. Since 2005, the Chinese Government has issued 2 lists of national intangible cultural heritages in sequence. Among all 1028 of them, there are 367 ethnic minority items, accounting for 35.7%. The Chinese Government has also nominated 3 groups, altogether 1488 people, as national inheritors of intangible cultural heritages, among which 393 are ethnic minority inheritors, accounting for 26%. In addition, China has invested huge capital in maintaining cultural relics and historical sites, including three major monasteries (Drepung, Sera and Gandan monasteries) in Lhasa, Kilzil Thousand-Buddha Cave and Potala Palace and also in building museums. The effort to rescue and classify ancient books of ethnic minorities has yielded great results. According to incomplete statistics, about one million ancient books of ethnic minority (excluding library and monastery collections) have been rescued and classified across China. The State Ethnic Affairs Committee has organized and carried out the compilation of the Summary and Extracts of Ancient Books of Chinese Ethnic Minorities. This book which is now in its final stage will be divided into chapters according to different ethnic minorities and the total word count will amount to tens of billions. Radio and TV broadcasting coverage has surpassed 85% and 90% respectively in ethnic minority areas. In areas of administration, law-enforcement, publication, broadcasting, literature, arts, informationization, etc, languages of ethnic minority people are widely used and promoted. There are 525 art-performing groups, 630 culture centers, 83 Public art centers, 591 libraries in ethnic minority areas. The number of the art units (art-performing groups, culture and art centers and libraries) for every 100 thousand people in ethnic minority areas is higher than the national average.
Madam Chairwoman,
Persistent efforts are needed to promote the economic and social development of ethnic minority people and to better protect their rights. Development in ethnic minority areas still faces many difficulties due to their geographical conditions and weak foundation. The Chinese Government is soberly aware of the fact that, compared with the developed coastal areas, ethnic minorities regions need to work even harder to advance into a well-off society in an all-around way. In accordance with the Convention, the Chinese Government will continue to, adopt more effective policies and legal measures to accelerate the economic and social development in ethnic minorities areas, gradually narrow the development gap, realize the coordinated development in different regions and ultimately achieve the common prosperity of all ethnic groups and raise the level of the enjoyment of all human rights.
Madam Chairwoman,
Finally, I want to mention that on March 14th last year and July 5th this year, highly violent crimes involving beating, smashing, looting and arson took place in Lhasa as well as its neighboring areas in Tibet Autonomous Region and in Urumqi in Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region respectively, resulting in huge civilian casualty as well as loss and damage of the property. Facts have fully shown that the two incidents were premeditated and organized crimes of violence, directed and instigated by separatists abroad and organized and carried out by separatists inside China, aiming at creating ethnic splits and hatred, undermining the gratifying situation of harmonious development in ethnic minority areas and undermining national unity and territorial integrity. These violent crimes not only gravely violated Chinese law, but also gravely violated the purposes and principles of the Convention. They have been widely condemned by the Chinese people of all ethnic groups. With the call and support of people of all ethnic groups, the Chinese Government took prompt actions according to law to stop these criminal activities, and protect citizens' right to life and property. Public order was quickly restored and unity among ethnic groups maintained. The Chinese Government has the confidence and capacity to act in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Convention to maintain social harmony and stability in the ethnic minority areas, unite all ethnic groups to strive together for common prosperity, and protect the rights and interests of the minority people more effectively.
Madam Chairwoman,
According to the Basic Laws of the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao SAR, the Chinese Government pursues the policy of "one country, two systems" with the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao SAR enjoying a high degree of autonomy and managing their own affairs. The implementation of the Convention in the Hong Kong SAR and the Macao SAR is compiled by the two SAR Governments respectively. Please allow me to invite Mr. HE Jianhua from the Hong Kong SAR and Mr. Jorge Costa Oliveira from the Macao SAR to deliver their speeches on their implementation of the Convention.
Thank you, Madam Chairwoman.